Congressman Robert Garcia Urges Social Security Administration to Protect Beneficiaries in Guaranteed Income Initiatives

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) sent a letter to the head of the Social Security Administration (SSA) urging a rule change to ensure that individuals who benefit from guaranteed income programs can still access full Social Security Insurance (SSI) benefits. This change would allow SSI beneficiaries to take part in state and local guaranteed income programs and cash assistance initiatives that help low-income households, without putting their benefits at risk. To read the full letter, click here.

An excerpt of the letter can be found below: 

“Dear Administrator O’Malley,

I am writing to urge the Social Security Administration (SSA) to address a critical issue affecting the interaction between direct cash programs and supplemental security income (SSI) benefits as part of its upcoming Overpayment Recovery rule, scheduled for April 2025. Specifically, SSA should take this opportunity to implement regulatory changes that will better protect SSI recipients who benefit from cash programs. These regulatory changes are urgently needed to clarify the definition of “Assistance Based on Need” (ABON) and ensure that state and local Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs are recognized appropriately in this context.

Over the past five years, there has been a significant rise in direct cash programs aimed at improving the economic stability of low-income households, including guaranteed income initiatives, state and local tax credits, and TANF-funded cash transfer programs. During my mayoral tenure, I helped launch a transformational universal basic income pilot that provided critical financial support to low-income families.

The program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), has since benefitted hundreds of households, offering $500 monthly to families in the city's lowest-income neighborhoods. Building on this experience, I recently introduced the Guaranteed Income for Foster Youth Act alongside Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) co-chair Michael Tubbs, which would provide $1,000 monthly to young adults exiting foster care.

These programs are designed to complement—not undermine—the existing social safety net. However, many SSI beneficiaries cannot participate in these programs without jeopardizing their benefits. SSA has yet to provide clear and comprehensive guidance on how to treat these cash transfers under SSI income determinations.” 

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